In the wake of their historical GRAMMY win for Best Reggae Album as the Producer and Artist for “Strictly Roots”, which was released under their own independent label CTBC Music Group, the Iconic GRAMMY Award-Winning cultured driven band has managed yet again to deliver another classic album. They achieved this by staying true to their formula of authentic Reggae with an effusively eclectic mix. In their latest quest to keep Reggae music relevant in a continuously evolving world of music, Morgan Heritage presents “Avrakedabra”.
Their Rolling Stones-reminiscent endurance, longevity and outstanding showmanship, makes the siblings a force to be reckoned with. Not only in Reggae but also in music as a whole. Morgan Heritage’s name is duly cemented in history, as critics, fans and music lovers anxiously awaited their new album. The untraditional creation of this album with recording sessions taking place across 3 different continents highlights the groups effort of taking Reggae music to the 4 corners of the Earth.
With their Reggae DNA from Jamaican origins, the Brooklyn born group of Massachusetts’s upbringing unearthed a way to infuse the sounds of Pop, Rock, Country, R&B and Hip-Hop music into their brand of Reggae that they call “Rockaz”. “Avrakedabra” is Produced by GRAMMY Award-Winning Morgan Heritage and Multi GRAMMY/EMMY Award-Winning producer Shannon Sanders, the album is permeated with notable creations from a host of multi-award winning producers and musicians such as Michael Lorello, Supa Dups, Phillip “Winta” James, Jason "J-Vibe” Farmer, Seani B & Don Chandler, Lamar “Riff Raff” Brown, Bost & Bim, Mike Austin and Michael Polk. To add to the stellar 15 track album arrangements, instruments occupy their own space provided by distinguished musicians Ethan Long - Guitarist from Kings of Leon, GRAMMY winning Guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin, Danny “Bassie” Dennis - Original bass player from the legendary Fire House Band and Award winning drummer Gil Sharone.
Sultry vocal fluctuations, smooth riffs, upbeat percussion, unique guitar style paired with rhythmic chants and thoughtful lyrics deliver an album that will not only make you dance and feel good, but still remains fresh to the ears.
Morgan Heritage kicks off the “Avrakedabra World Tour” in support of the new album and are veterans of live touring. Their relentless work ethic on the road is in line with fellow road warriors from the scene including 311, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, Iration, and J Boog, which continues to gain them diehard fans on the festival circuit (Summer Jam Festival, Van’s Warped Tour, Boomtown Fair, Sierra Nevada Music Festival, Pinkpop Festival, Austin City Limits, Roskilde Festival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Parkpop Festival, Riot Fest, Rock Werchter, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Reggae In The Park, Gröna Lund, Reggae SumFest, Paléo Festival, Reggae On The Rocks, Rototom Sunsplash, Reggae In The Desert, Solidays Music Festival) and with live music aficionados too.
Hometown showstopper, Cooper is back from Nashville for one sizzling night at the Star Theater! Years have gone by since she last serenaded the City of Roses, and this time she comes home with a brand new double EP, fresh off the press.
Cooper got her early start performing burlesque in Portland with the cast of The Rosehip Revue. On September 6th at the Star Theater, she will be celebrating a mini-reunion with other cast members, warming up for a full-length Rosehip Revue Reunion show to come early next year. Local burlesque luminaries Angelique DeVil, Sandria Dore, Kit Katastrophic and Lola Couquette will be sparkling up the stage and bringing the heat to the Star's stage on this momentous evening. Hosted by veteran neo-burlesque producer, Rayleen Courtney.
Portland, OR based Salvatore Manalo has taken on the role of producer and engineer for his debut full-length album titled "Homemade." Blending sounds of pop-soul, Motown, and R&B; this release will be the culmination of self discovery and his love for creating music with no limitations. With tremendous support from his band members Danny Frye, Evan Knapp, Joseph Matveyenko, and Matt Brewster, they aim to bring a record that'll make you groove.
Moves Collective are a funk heavy Ameridelic jamband based in Ocean Beach, California. They are turning heads all over the West, sharing stages with musical greats like Leftover Salmon, Hot Buttered Rum, Fruition, Melvin Seals and JGB, Brother's Gow, Marcus Rezak, and many more. Founded in 2014, The Moves quickly developed a reputation for timeless songwriting, high energy shows, exciting collaborations and constant touring (hucking). What could be coined "Ameridelic", Moves Collective's unique music celebrates and is expanding the relationship between the audience and the stage.
The current line up features Tim Norton on guitar, Josh Nathan on drums and synths, Isaac Lopez on bass, and Dad 'Dangerous Paul' Chuey on double saxophone, reeds, and slide guitar. With notable nominations in both 2016 and 2018 - TMC took home an award for the San Diego Music Awards with 'Best Americana act in 2017.
Visit the website to download and listen to music, find tour dates, browse merch, and discover all things Ameridelic.
KATCHAFIRE released their highly anticipated 5th studio album 'LEGACY' (Universal NZ / Zojak Worldwide) on1st June 2018, and within hours hit No.1 on the New Zealand iTunes album chart and No.1 on the USA iTune Reggae chart. The 'LEGACY' album also impacted iTunes charts around the world... No.1 in Fiji, No.8 in Poland, No.24 in Australia, No.56 in Lichtenstein and Ivory Coast, No.57 in USA, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Maldives, Myanmar, Palestine and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya!!
Hailing from Kirikiriroa in Aotearoa (Hamilton in New Zealand) KATCHAFIRE have become a global roots reggae phenomenon. The all Maori reggae band bring their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around today. They didn't come from privilege, they didnt have famous parents; they were ruff n tumble youths who had their lives changed by reggae music who have grown into humble husbands and fathers still finding joy spreading the love all over the world.
With their previous four successful studio albums, multiple awards, platinum sales, high-selling singles and a massive fanbase selling out shows around the world, the band have been celebrating 20 years of existence on their Legacy Tour.
EARTHKRY
Roots Rock Reggae band EarthKry band was born and nurtured within the halls of the Edna Manley College of The Visual & Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica where four budding musicians hoped to hone their skills.
Their journey began with a twist of fate which brought together keyboard player Phillip Mcfarlane , drummer Kieron Cunningham, bass guitarist Kamardo Blake and vocalist/guitarist Aldayne Haughton, to play a series of small gigs. Drawing inspiration from Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Beatles, John Holt, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller, Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse, the group soon cemented a wholesome fusion of Roots Reggae, Souls and Rock genres for a fresh but universal sound.
Much like the iconic reggae outfit The Wailers, the band chose its name, EarthKry, to signify its mission to voice the grievances of the downtrodden through the vibrations of their Legacy music. Since 2013 the band has spent much of their time creating music with other notable artistes in recording sessions while further developing their signature sound.
Through the guidance of veteran drummer/ lecturer Derrick Stewart, veteran trumpeter Nambo Robinson, guitarist/former tutor Maurice Gordon and producers Stephen Stewart and Sam Clayton, the band has since released a successful debut EP "Hard Road", an acclaimed, worldwide top charting debut album "SURVIVAL" and have toured extensively on some of the biggest international stages.
In a hip-hop career that has stretched past a decade, Blackalicious has earned respect the old-fashioned way–rising through honesty, commitment, and artistry. Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley). They are noted for Gift of Gab’s often “tongue-twisting”, multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel’s “classic” beats.
Like a few other West Coast rap acts, including the Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, Blackalicious has generally favored what hip-hoppers call the “positive tip”; in other words, its lyrics have often been spiritual and uplifting rather than violent or misogynous. Like a lot of experimental alternative rappers, Blackalicious can be quirky and eccentric; nonetheless, spirituality is a big part of the group’s music. Although Blackalicious wasn’t formed until the early ’90s, its members had known each other since the late ’80s. Founding members Gift of Gab (Timothy Parker) and Chief Xcel (Xavier Mosley) first met in Sacramento, CA, in 1987 when they were students at John F. Kennedy High School. Neither of them was originally from Sacramento; DJ/producer Xcel (who was going by DJ IceSki at the time) was a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, while rapper Gift of Gab was from Los Angeles’ suburban San Fernando Valley.
The two went their separate ways after Gift of Gab (also known as Gabby T) graduated from Kennedy High in 1989, but they were reunited in Davis, CA, in 1992. By that time, Xcel had become a student at the University of California at Davis and the Gift of Gabhad moved to Davis to form Blackalicious with him. UC Davis was where Xcel had started working with a hip-hop crew named SoleSides, whose members included DJ Shadow, Lateef the Truth Speaker, and Lyrics Born. SoleSides Records was the name of the SoleSides Crew’s Northern California record company and in 1994, that label released Blackalicious’ debut single “Swan Lake.” Although not a triple-platinum smash, the single was a small underground hit that fared well among alternative rap audiences. The following year, SoleSides Records released a Blackalicious EP titled Melodica. By late 1997, SoleSides Records had transformed into Quannum Records, and in 1999, Quannum put out another Blackalicious EP, A2G.
In 2000, Quannum released the group’s full-length debut Nia (whose title is the Swahili word for purpose). After being together eight years, Blackalicious finally signed with a major label when, in late 2000, the Californians were added by MCA. In April 2002, Quannum/MCA released Blazing Arrow, which boasted guest appearances ranging from vocalist Zack de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) to the Roots’ ?uestlove to veteran soul singerGil Scott-Heron. After the requisite tour, both Xcel and Gab began developing solo material; Quannum released both Maroons’ Ambush (Chief Xcel with Latyrx’s Lateef the Truth Speaker) as well as a Gift of Gab solo LP, Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up. The pair returned in 2005 for their third album, The Craft, with a contract in hand from the Anti- label.
PINK TURNS BLUE are an influential post punk / new wave band from Berlin, Germany.
Formed in 1985, they quickly put out their first LP, If Two Worlds Kiss (1987) expressing a sound reminiscent of new wave with very dark undertones and use of synthesizers, only to become one of the pioneers of the developing subgenre of first darkwave (Meta 1988) then cold wave (Eremite 1990, Aerdt 1991).
After many hits like "Michelle", "Walking on Both Sides", "Your Master Is Calling", "The First", "I Coldly Stare Out", "Touch the Skies", "Catholic Sunday", "Missing You", "If Two Worlds Kiss", "Moon" and "Seven Years", they split up in 1995.
In 2003, they reformed to appear in a few festivals. Because of the success of the reunion, they released a Best Of album called Re-Union, in 2005 their studio album Phoenix and in 2017 "Ghost". The latest Album is called "The AERDT - Untold Stories"
With his second major label full-length album, 1123, BJ The Chicago Kid is already establishing his legacy as a multi-talented singer and hyper-creative artist. His major label debut, 2016’s In My Mind, was nominated for three Grammy Awards and helped gain him recognition as one of R&B’s major players.
Now gathering upwards of a million global streams per week in 2019, BJ has cemented that status by keeping in constant motion. Since the release of In My Mind, he has performed at President Barack Obama’s 2017 farewell address, released an original EP and accompanying short film (2018’s The Opening Ceremony), and appeared on myriad cover songs and collaborations, from H.E.R.’s “Could’ve Been” remix to the sole feature on the remastered anniversary edition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ title track alongside Gaye’s original vocal itself.
BJ, who includes Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, Jodeci, and PJ Morton alongside Gaye on his inspirational Mount Rushmore, has worked with industry icons like Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, and Warren G and collaborated with current pop heroes like Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, H.E.R., Anderson. Paak, and more. Naturally, all these landmarks deserve one hell of a party to honor one who is clearly on his way to legend status. As it happens, his new album 1123 is just that - as those digits represent BJ’s late November birthday.
Much of 1123 was written and recorded on the road and in different locations. Working in this manner forced him learn efficiency and to get straight to the gold, as he says, and allowed him to incorporate many different influencing experiences as well.
“Because I travel so much, other things in my life get neglected, and coming back home to deal with those life things was a big part of my writing for this album,” he says. “Touching life, smelling it and seeing it allowed me to describe it better in these songs. I have to go through some shit, I gotta love somebody, but life happens whether I choose it to or not. The bills are gonna be there, I still need to go see Mom…upholding my end of that responsibility is a cool thing that factors into the music. We all have responsibilities, so to communicate them and share that common ground is one of the reasons we’re here. The whole point of being an artist is to connect with the people, and without living there’s no connection.”
By the time 1123 has reached its end, the full scope of BJ’s genre-blending abilities is clear, leaving the listener wowed, replenished, and inspired.
VIP package includes:
VIP early entry into the venue
Exclusive meet & greet with BJ the Chicago Kid
Personal photograph with BJ the Chicago Kid
Specially designed tour poster autographed by BJ the Chicago Kid
Garcia Birthday Band (GBB), based in Portland Oregon, is the Pacific Northwest's premier Grateful Dead experience! Formed in 1999, GBB is a group of veteran musicians celebrating and interpreting the vast repertoire of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, and bringing to life the good ole' vibes that were contagious 'on tour' back in the day. But this isn’t a "tribute band"... Drawing on decades of individual and shared experience, GBB crafts and transforms this great music into something fresh and original. Solid chops, tight arrangements and fine harmonies all contribute to the band’s musical travels and explorations of one of the greatest and most diverse songbooks of all time.
Always sure to raise the roof and keep the dance floor rockin', hoppin' and shakin', the band's quickly growing fan base finds the community spirit and kind vibes contagious! Music-lovers with a wide variety of tastes enjoy GBB's extensive playlist which includes classics from Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Cliff, Traffic, Dr. John, Merle Haggard, The Meters, Neville Brothers, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, James Brown, Warren Zevon, Rev. Gary Davis, Marty Robbins, Bruce Cockburn, Phish, and Peter Tosh, to name a few... No two GBB shows are ever alike and the band always strives to bring a true-to-life traditional vibe to each and every performance!
With musicians hailing from the likes of New Riders of the Purple Sage (NRPS), David Nelson Band, Kingfish, Cubensis, the Buds of May, the Ike Willis Band, Brothers Jam and LOOS3, the band is certain to provide high musical adventure!
Currently working on a forthcoming album, Wax Tailor will make a break in September for a US Tour. He'll present a new DJ Set, a journey into sound, from cinematic downtempo to funky joints, through his own tracks, unreleased, revisited, remixes, friends producers & influences.
For over 15 years, Wax Tailor move forward on the side roads, with 5 studio albums, 2 double live albums & more than 700 shows in about 50 countries. Independently, this sound couturier became one of the leaders of the international alternative scene. Looking for the chemistry between modernity and sounds of the past, between sharp rhythms and soft arrangements, Wax Tailor mix his influences to create his own sound far from the short-lived trends.
